Donovan, a Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate of David Beckham, feels he needs to play competitive football at the end of the Major League Soccer season to maintain his fitness for the World Cup finals in June. His move is similar to the one that Beckham has agreed with Milan.

Sources at Everton have confirmed that negotiations are at an advanced stage with the 27-year-old, the USA's all-time leading scorer with 42 goals from 120 games and a countryman of the Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.

His move to Goodison Park would help boost Everton's injury-ravaged squad, and Donovan would be able to play in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Donovan has had spells with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich but failed to find his best form in the Bundesliga.